System for preventing the deformation of sails, such as jibs, which are mounted on reels
A system for preventing the deformation of sails, such as jibs, which are mounted on reels. The inventive system includes elements (14; 20) which are designed to produce a complementary volume at the centre of the reel. The sail which is mounted on the reel cannot be deformed by compression around the reel and parallel to the hoist thereof. The sail is made from a fabric having transverse and longitudinal fibres (18, 18′), which is resistant to compression and to local buckling. The fabric is disposed between two films (17, 17′) of tight weave fabric and the assembly is subsequently glued.
The present invention relates to a system designed to prevent the deformation of sails, particularly jibs, mounted on reels.
It is known that the jibs which are mounted on reels pose a basic problem, when they are being used with a view to reducing the area of the sail, particularly when this sail is half rolled up.
In such a case (see
Such deformations, aside from their disadvantage from an esthetic standpoint, result in a loss of performance of the sail, the area of which has been reduced.
The problem that the present invention sets out to solve is of ensuring that, for a given strength of wind, the sail, the area of which has been reduced by rolling up, is adjusted in terms of area, as in a conventional reel solution, but also has the shape and deformation needed for the forces required by the pressure of the wind.
The solution to this problem is provided, according to the invention, by a system for preventing the deformation of sails, such as jibs in particular, which are mounted on reels, comprising means designed to fashion an additional volume in the central part of the reel, characterized in that the sail mounted on said reel is non-deformable in compression around the reel and parallel to its hoist side, and in that it is produced from a fabric comprising transverse and longitudinal fibers resistive to compression and local buckling, this fabric being incorporated between two films of fine fabric, the whole then being bonded.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said films of fine fabric are films of ethylene glycol polyterephthalate.
According to another aspect of the invention, the means designed to fashion an additional volume in the central part of the reel consists of additional slats or additional fibers in the sail that is to be rolled up, and which form, when the sail is rolled up onto a cylindrical reel, said additional volume.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the means designed to fashion an additional volume in the central part of the reel consists of a biconical reel, possibly reinforced for torsion.
According to yet another feature of the present invention, the reel is protected by a fairing forming an aerofoil, it being possible for this fairing to be cylindrical, conical or biconical. It may comprise, on its inside, a protruding part in the form of a spoiler which presses against the sail.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description given hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings which illustrate entirely nonlimiting exemplary embodiments thereof. In the drawings:
As mentioned above, the invention provides means allowing the sail to be rendered non-deformable in compression around the reel and parallel to its hoist side.
According to the exemplary embodiment depicted in
According to the other exemplary embodiment illustrated by
The invention also provides means which are designed to fashion an additional volume in the central part of the reel. Referring to
In the exemplary embodiment illustrated by
According to another aspect of the invention illustrated by
Of course, the present invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments described and depicted hereinabove, but encompasses all variants thereof.
Claims
1. A system for preventing the deformation of sails, such as jibs in particular, which are mounted on reels, comprising means (14; 20) designed to fashion an additional volume in the central part of the reel, characterized in that the sail mounted on said reel is non-deformable in compression around the reel and parallel to its hoist side, and in that it is produced from a fabric comprising transverse and longitudinal fibers (18, 18′) resistive to compression and local buckling, this fabric being incorporated between two films (17, 17′) of fine fabric, the whole then being bonded.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said films (17, 17′) of fine fabric are films of ethylene glycol polyterephthalate.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the means designed to fashion an additional volume in the central part of the reel consists of a biconical reel (14), possibly reinforced for torsion.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the sail comprises slats (16) stitched into it, parallel to its hoist side.
5. The system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said reel is protected by a fairing (22) forming an aerofoil.
6. The system as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that this fairing (22) may be of cylindrical, conical or biconical shape.
7. The system as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that said fairing (22) comprises, on its inside, a protruding part in the form of a spoiler (23) which presses against the sail (21).
8. The system as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that said fairing (22) comprises, on its inside, a protruding part in the form of a spoiler (23) which presses against the sail (21).
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 5, 2003
Publication Date: Aug 24, 2006
Inventor: Jean-Marie Finot (Jouy-en-Josas)
Application Number: 10/537,664
International Classification: B63H 9/04 (20060101);